Breaking bad news: delivery

Think about whether these statements are appropriate ways of delivering bad news?

When you have read the statements, click on the reasoning comments to obtain feedback.

 

"Mrs Doherty, your left sided pneumonia has been unresponsive to intravenous antibiotic therapy, resulting in persistent shortness of breath, productive cough, fever and further chest pain. In addition, your renal impairment, which was recently exacerbated by sepsis, is progressing and it is proving difficult to manage this on account of your heart disease. I’m afraid that we won’t resolve this"

 

Some patients will appreciate the health care workers directness

Patients would value the health care worker’s honesty

 

Continue to the next page to see another option for delivering bad news...